UPDATED: Pavlik fight called off

YOUNGSTOWN — Saying boxer Kelly Pavlik's comeback has taken a "wrong turn," Covelli Centre officials have confirmed the cancellation of the former champ's 10-rounder against Darryl Cunningham originally set for Saturday.

"Both the broadcast and the live event have been canceled," Kelsey Rupert of the Covelli Centre said in a news release. "Ticketholders can get a refund by returning their tickets to the place of purchase."

Earlier, Pavlik told 21 WFMJ-TV: "The fight is off and the Bute fight is not going to happen. I'm not going to fight a southpaw for peanuts."

The decision also seemed to catch promoter Top Rank off guard. Officials there also issue a terse statement.

“Top Rank is very disappointed at Kelly’s sudden decision to discontinue the rebuilding of his boxing career,” said Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank, Pavlik’s promoter.

“Kelly’s team specifically outlined a strategy for Kelly to return to the ring in an effective fashion. Kelly’s team gave us their objectives and we set them on a course, which began last May with Kelly’s fight against Alfonso Lopez and was to continue on Saturday against Darryl Cunningham," duBoef's statement continued.

"It seems Kelly has derailed this plan,” he added.

Pavlik, who has not returned calls from The Vindicator, told WFMJ this was a "business decision."

"The fight is off and the Bute fight is not going to happen. I'm not going to fight a southpaw for peanuts," he told the NBC affiliate.

Some online boxing sources are reporting that Pavlik was peeved that he was going to make less than $2 million to fight IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute this fall.

Pavlik's Saturday opponent told Corey Erdman of BoxingScene.com, that he was diasspointed with Pavlik's withdrawal.

"Kelly knew he was going to sleep. He thought it was a tune-up," Cunningham said. "People don't know about The People's Choice, but I was going to knock him out."

Pavlik last spoke to the newspaper for a July 31 profile in which he discussed focusing on boxing instead of attempting to make the 160-pound weightclass. He vowed he will never again fight at that weight.

“We’re not killing ourselves to make weight; training camp is not about the scale,” Pavlik had said. “Going into my last couple fights at middleweight, it was more about getting ready to make weight instead of getting ready for the opponent.

I have to say that I have been very disappointed in our Hometown Boy the past year or so. At one point I thought he would turn out to be a good role model for our area youth, however, it turns out he is an egotistical bad-tempered alcoholic who doesn't pay his bills........

And I wholeheartedly agree with weezle - he is no longer champion, he doesn't get to call the shots - if he wants that belt back, then he better fight whoever they want him to fight or get out of the ring altogether.....

Aug 2nd, 2011| More Kelly Pavlik says he might not fight Darryl Cunningham on Saturday because he's not happy with his offer to face Lucian Bute.

Kelly Pavlik has threatened to pull out of Saturday's fight against Darryl Cunningham over the offer he received to face IBF super middleweight titleholder Lucian Bute in his next fight, RingTV.com has learned.

A source familiar with the negotiations said Pavlik (36-2, 32 knockouts) is upset because he has been offered far less by his promotional firm, Top Rank, than Mikkel Kessler was offered to face Bute. Kessler turned down the offer.

The Cunningham bout is part of a package deal that is to lead to a fall match up against Bute.

"Kelly had heard that Kessler was being offered something like $3.5 million, and that he turned that down. So Kelly wasn't really happy with the $1.1 million that Top Rank was offering him," the source said on Tuesday, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

"So I would say that right now, I don't think that (Saturday's) fight's going to happen. Unless, of course, Top Rank comes back with something (better)."

Pavlik, the former middleweight champion, pulled out of a fight with Paul Williams last year because of a staph infection in his hand.

Kelly found out just today the size of his payday and that his opponent is a southpaw? Not very likely. Something Kelly is not telling us? Very likely. Maybe he'll find more answers at the bottom of *another* brewski.

"Kelly had heard that Kessler was being offered something like $3.5 million, and that he turned that down. So Kelly wasn't really happy with the $1.1 million that Top Rank was offering him," the source said on Tuesday, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Great Promotional Skills? Most area fans didn't even know that he was fighting this weekend anyways. Looks like there is more of a response to him not fighting than actually getting in the ring. You had everything kid, and you blew it! It doesn't matter where you fight, nobody is coming. You'll be begging for our "peanuts" quicker than you even know.

Hey Kelly, you are no longer a big fight draw. Hell boxing isn't either. It's an embarrassment to your supporters, fans and Youngstown that you cancelled the fight. I am sure you were being paid a hell of a lot more than what most people in this town earn in a decade. Boxing has 1 fight left (Manny vs Floyd) before it becomes extinct.

Something tells me though that your are not solely to blame for this public display of greed. If ever there was a time to get rid of Loew and your southside entourage/leaches/crooks/bums/cancers its now. Move out of Youngstown get a new team, fight your way back before its too late.

He really pi@#ed off Top Rank. That is a major NO-NO. A few months down the road he is neither going to give up boxing or kiss Top Ranks a@#. I hope he gives up boxing and be the alcoholic that he wants to be. Has to be more to this story then money. You don't cancel a hometown fight 4 days away. smh at stupidity.

Sad...I'm sure he could have any trainer he wants but he still chooses the worst trainer in the sport loew...he sticks with him because he enables him to continue on his path to destruction....as long as he gets paid what's he care. If you are still serious about the sport. Take some time off...get with professional people in the sport and get rid of these losers who you have as an entourage they are just terrible human beings!!

Just a little side note since this is such a popular story. Lets see if the "most commented on" section goes back up this week since the Boardman election will be done. I emailed Franko a couple weeks ago asking why that was gone and saying plz put it back, and his entire response was "tis temporary"

So we shall see. Of course with this post he may need to save face and wait a bit

Kelly was going to make more in this fight than the whole of inner city Youngstown combined. 2 million for a tune up and you aren't getting enough?? You LOST the belt,you are an 'also ran' now. You had the fans behind you as well as the boxing world wanting you to return to your one time glory, you just blew all that and have become like LBJ.

Go crawl back to your restaurant if it hasn't been closed by the health department yet, become an alcoholic again and maybe get tattoo on the neck and wear a wife beater shirt to complete the white trash picture. Seriously, you had the whole valley behind you, now you just look like a money hungry whine bag athlete like Lebron James.

We are having a Pavlik gear burn party this saturday, hopefully it doesn't rain.

Pavlik was only offered 1.355 million for BOTH fights. his fight on Saturday was to pay him $50,000! you dont risk your career for that price. also, 1.35 is a joke to fight against Bute. Kelly's 100% right here. If half of the folks in Youngstown would stand up for themselves in this way, alot of you would be better off.

When Kelly was winning, they were erecting billboards with his faceon it. When he began losing, people kicked him when he was down. When his personal life got plastered in the newspaper, the comments got worse. If I were him, I would not fight at Covelli for you bandwagon, coat-tail riding, ungrateful people. Not if I was paid a five million dollars.You act as if Kelly Pavlik has done something personally wrong to you. And if you want a role model for your children, HELLO, be one yourself. That is YOUR job.

DB? Look at these comments..If you were Pavlik, would you .fight for $50,000.00 for people who post comments like the ones here? NO WAY! For people who supported you and didnt kick me when I was down? I bet you would and so would I PEOPLE WHO POST THINGS LIKE WHAT WE HAVE SEEN HERE MOST LIKELY ARE THE REASON KELLY PAVLIK ISNT FIGHTING SATURDAY!

Pavlik's handlers knew what the purse was a long time ago. They don't decide this stuff a week before a promoted fight.

Pavlik can't draw a crowd. No crowd = low purse. Only way to increase purse is to siphon/steal money from other boxers on the same card that night.

All of that has little to do with local fans.

Considering the whooping he received in the Martinez fight he's lucky anyone offers him any fights.

"I didn't think I'd see what I saw," Pavlik's promoter, Top Rank president Bob Arum, said after the fight. "I was expecting Kelly to win and to win big. I was terribly disappointed."

So was Harrah's Entertainment president Ken Condon, who saw Pavlik as the key to keeping Atlantic City as a featured site of big-time fights. Only 6,179 fans attended Saturday's fight, but an impressive victory by Pavlik might have produced bigger crowds for future appearances.

Concerning my last post, if people were more supportive of Pavlik and did not say, do, and post the things that they do about him, I believe that he would have fought on Saturday no matter what he was going to be paid for the Bute fight. We have seen him fight and win and say it was for Youngstown. We have heard him say that he wanted to fight in Youngstown. But when you are offered a low amount for both fights and you have the people of Youngstown on your back and treating you like we see posted here, you have to wonder if it didnt play a part in his decision to cancel the fight. I would not fight here for that reason and I bet if all who posted here were in his same situation, you would not either. Would you fight to save your career? Sure! Would you fight for the people of Youngstown after all that was said and done? I bet you wouldnt!

I, too...would like to see "most Commented/Popular tab "...It disappeared once the "Murdoch NewsCorp Hacking Scandal Broke" and journalists along w/ vindy chose to camouflage the heightened outrage and then "Comments" were less noticed and tracked.

As much as the news today disappointed me, it did not surprise me one bit. Kelly, I've supported you up to now and I do hope you get your life in order, but you lost one of your biggest fans with this decision that you will come to regret. I've struggled with addiction myself so you'll get no low blows from me, but the whole bit about quitting because of the money rings as hollow as the last bell that just tolled on your career.

1.35 million is peanuts? For a fighter that fell from grace and was given a chance at redemption? Really? Everything I've heard from you since for the last 2+ years has been the exact opposite of the humility that endeared you to people when you were coming up. It's all been excuses and denials and until you get honest with yourself the downward spiral will continue. Forget about boxing and think about your family and the rest of your life. Take heed from Edwin Valero and other sad stories like his.

50,00 for a sparring match with a nobody is pretty good money for someone with nothing other than a stiff jaw that can take a punch. Kelly would have knocked this guy out in 1 round. $50k for 3 minutes work isn't worth it? Please give me a break. All he is concerned with is a big paycheck for as little work as possible now because he knows he is washed up. Within 2 years he is in jail for either assault or DUI. The wife beater and neck tattoo will not be far behind.

Seriously Kelly,you have made yourself the joke of the boxing world yet again, and they will not forgive you for this one or let it slide.

Go get a real job like the rest of us have, then you can cry to us about not getting enough money.You get your head beat for a living, you can't do anything else, and you still refuse money for this and act like a victim for only getting 1.3 million? Cry me a river loser.Go have another beer and get some more tats...

Sad to see Pavlik turn into a bum. He signed the contract to fight and then backs out. No honor.We look up to people with honor, integrity, and resolve. Looks like we can no longer look up to Kelly or his family. Very sad.

“[Top Rank] is not happy,” said Jack Loew, Pavlik’s trainer, on Tuesday. “Kelly had a tough decision; he made it, and now he’s going to have to deal with the consequences.”

You don't tick off Top Rank and if they decide not to renew his contract no other promotional outfit is going to touch Kelly, boxers are a dime a dozen, he made his own bed.

He had the opportunity to save his career with these fights, money should not have even come into it, if indeed that is what it is. He won the title, top of the world, alcohol eventually won, he did the rehab and such, and instead of counting his blessings and taking whatever for a second chance, he pulls this. This isn't about loyal fans and such not standing behind him, why should they he spit on there faces because of money? Real fair to the fans that dish out the money for his items, tickets, support. And he pulls this? He needs to look in the mirror and think about the others that don't get a second chance.

Jack Loew never developed Pavlik's jab, which for a 6'1" kid would help fend off the opponent. Kelly's family is giving him bad advice, most likely his father. He should move out of town, hire another trainer, fight a couple of years and pocket the money.

the point I was making with my previous post was that the money offered was insufficient in this regard: if Pavlik lost in either fight, that's it. He'd never see another big payday. so, at this point in his career - and since he does still have big name recognition and is a former champion - he needs to secure as much as he can because he's getting to the end of his career. 1.35 mil might have seemed enough for his team at one point, but once he found out a different fighter was possibly offered more than double that, he was right to do what he did.

even if top rank is done with him - any other group out there that senses they could make a dollar off of him will snap him up in a heartbeat.

it also seems like a lot of the commenters here understand NOTHING about boxing. they're just here spewing their jealousy-tinted hate. shame on you.

It's not jealousy tinted hate.... it's called respecting a city that stands behind you.

This author don't no jack about Youngstown and such but a excellent article. So you see Einstein its not just Y-town it's the boxing world!

"That’s got to make the 14 percent of Youngstown residents who are unemployed feel all warm and fuzzy toward him. Perhaps Pavlik ought to get a job (or, try to get one) and go to work for a living. He’d quickly find out that $1.35 million is hardly peanuts. And though his purse of $50,000 to fight Cunningham is hardly overwhelming, when his boxing career is over, he’s going to wish he could make $50,000 in one night. That’s likely to be his annual salary in the not-too-distant future."This is boxing, where one man bit another’s ear off and later came back to fight, so anything is possible. But it’s hard to imagine that Showtime would ever agree to televise one of his fights again.He’s pulled out of too many matches – he disappeared days before he was to fight Bryan Vera on the Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito card in November and had to withdraw – and has displayed increasingly irrational behavior.

Who is hating. I don't even like Boxing. It's a stupid sport. Read my comments about his alcoholic issues,etc. There positive, but when someone pulls something like this, it's disrespectful to everyone! Not hate Einstein Disrespect. You understand the difference? Maybe you enjoy that but the majority don't. Even the hand that feeds you. Comprehend? But if you think Kelly has another opportunity knocking on his door you are sadly mistaken. Read the second article also. You see you only read what you want to read, not the whole picture. That is why I posted BOTH articles. smh. Don't you wish life was like that, only hear/see what you want. But sad to break the news to you, it's not. Maybe you and Kelly can reminisce about the old times over a cold beer at a bar some night and ask the popular question - What If?

Kelly was in no position to tick off Top Rank at the last minute. Currently he is just another fighter, he does not have the clout of a defending champion. If he had won decisively on Saturday night, he could of approached Top Rank about boosting his cut for the next fight.

I don't think Top Rank will be calling him!

I think when he stops to think about it he will realize that he screwed up...or maybe not!

Life's too short-Look at what has been posted here about him. Look at what has been posted about him after every story that is printed. If these comments represent "Youngstown" then Im glad he isnt fighting here. Why fight for what is a pittance in the boxing world------not in the Youngstown world-----for a bunch of people who have say these types of things. Its not worth it. As I have said, when he was winning, everyone was on the bandwagon and erecting billboards. When he began to lose, they made nasty comments, and when he was down he was kicked. No one here has one time said one thing about the kids that he has been there for and the charities that he has supported. What I think it is is that when you come from a town like Youngstown and this life is all that you have to look forward to, you want to be apart of the excitement surrounding Kelly and then when that is gone, because you have no life of your own, you feel hurt like something has done something personal to you. Do you know what the cure is for that? Three words! Get a life!

Laurie, Laurie, Laurie.....it's not just Youngstown, it's the boxing world. Read what the industry says about him. It's not rocket science.

"When he began to lose, they made nasty comments, and when he was down he was kicked."

Once again Laurie, read the comments, the majority stood behind him even when he was losing and in rehab and such. Look at past comments and see for yourself. What got me was he is a alcoholic, no doubt about it, but what is the 1st thing he said when he got out of rehab? "I'm not going to say I'll never have a drink again", you don't say that if your serious about your sobriety. And just recently, drinking and fighting with his brother. Really helping kids there, huh?

"What I think it is is that when you come from a town like Youngstown and this life is all that you have to look forward to, you want to be apart of the excitement surrounding Kelly and then when that is gone, because you have no life of your own, you feel hurt like something has done something personal to you."

Hurt? Your joking right? If anything you stand behind someone from the valley who has the talent to make there hometown proud. And Youngstown was proud of Kelly, but his latest shing dings is a shot in the face to all the people who supported him through the good and rough times. Example: Lebron James and what he did to Cleveland. Laurie, look outside the box of Youngstown and see what other people (who are experts in the boxing world) are saying about him. Comprehend?

""Whoever is whispering in Pavlik's ear that he is still a star -- that he is still at the top of whatever division he weighs in at -- has got to go. Pavlik can still regain his place at the top but he must be humbled.He has to recognize he is more the Pavlik of 2007 than the one of 2009. He needs to get hungry again, to realize that he once again has a lot to prove.""

"But the behavior here is somewhat erratic and unprofessional. I'm very sympathetic to (Showtime), the fans, my staff, the (Covelli Centre) and the people in Youngstown who were looking forward to this and working on the event. Unfortunately, it did not come about. There is some soul searching to do for Kelly and his team. The answers more lie with him than anyone else."

""His decision staggered his promoter, Top Rank, and forced cancellation of the entire card at the Covelli Centre."Top Rank is very disappointed at Kelly's sudden decision to discontinue the rebuilding of his boxing career," Top Rank president Todd duBoef said in a statement. "Kelly's team specifically outlined a strategy for Kelly to return to the ring in an effective fashion. ... It seems Kelly has derailed this plan.""

Life-he is from Youngstown.....and my comment was about postings by people from Youngstown after Kelly Pavlik made a business decision not to fight in Youngstown. I have commented about how I feel the people of Youngstown have not treated him fairly. Why you are respnding with something that has nothing to do with it is beyond me. Looks like bad communication or a bad deal between TOP Rank and KP is what happened. So, given that information, am I going to see all kinds of negative comments about Top Rank or is Youngstown going to crucify one of their own?

"I have commented about how I feel the people of Youngstown have not treated him fairly. Why you are respnding with something that has nothing to do with it is beyond me."

All I'm trying to get through to you is saying it's not just Youngstown that is saying things about Kelly. And Youngstown stood behind him, all through everything, and he pulls this??? Youngstown should be ticked off!! Anyone would be. You just don't do that!

This from a "respected" Youngstown native:

“For all the good will he’s done, I don’t think he realizes the irreparable damage he’s doing,” Mancini said. “Fighting for a million dollars is chicken feed? Wow. Wow. I’m beyond baffled. I’m flabbergasted.“It’s a million-dollar payday and you’ve got people in this town making minimum wage. How do you think they’re going to identify with you or sympathize with you? How?”

I can tell you that this fight was very poorly if at all promoted here. The same with his last couple of fights here. Top Rank has done little if anything other than rely on the name of Kelly Pavlik to sell tickets. Sure the media is making Kelly out to be the bad guy here, but let's put the blame where it belongs. Who sells a fight without getting a signed contract? That would be like going to work without ever getting hired, or accepting a job without being told the salary only to learn on your first paycheck that you were making minimum wage for a position that required a college education. I can almost guarantee, that this article and the article about Bernard Hopkins wanting to reach out to Kelly, will never make the local media here in Youngstown. The Vindicator has a vendetta against Kelly and does whatever they can to make him look bad. Not to mention the locals here loved him when he was up and do nothing but kick him when he is down. If nothing else Kelly should be looked up to in this instance for holding strong to his value of self worth. If you accept less than you will become less. Now that the bandwagon fans have jumped ship, Kelly can get back to work with his true supporters and get ready to take care of business. BTW for all of the comments that Kelly is not a draw anymore, don't forget that he is still the #1 MANDATORY challenger in the WBC, and his only two losses were to a legend B-Hop who is the current light heavyweight champion (which he fought with the flu), and the current middleweight champion who is currently ranked #2 on the p4p list (and on the cards if Kelly would have won one of the final two rounds would have took a split decision).

Fighters -- even top contenders and titleholders -- are indeed often given their official contracts just one week, or even a matter of days, before high-profile televised fights. Only the main event bouts to the really big pay-per-view events are legally and financially set weeks or months before the fight takes place.

"The Vindicator has a vendetta against Kelly and does whatever they can to make him look bad. "

Are you serious? They have a round by round at his matches they post. Not to mention headlines and follow up stories.

"Not to mention the locals here loved him when he was up and do nothing but kick him when he is down."

Again, are you serious? When he was in rehab, look at the majority of comments. Positive.

"If nothing else Kelly should be looked up to in this instance for holding strong to his value of self worth. If you accept less than you will become less."

“What doesn’t he get about this business?” said Mancini, a former WBA lightweight champion from Youngstown. “You’re only as good as your last fight.”

""BTW for all of the comments that Kelly is not a draw anymore, don't forget that he is still the #1 MANDATORY challenger in the WBC, and his only two losses were to a legend B-Hop who is the current light heavyweight champion (which he fought with the flu), and the current middleweight champion who is currently ranked #2 on the p4p list (and on the cards if Kelly would have won one of the final two rounds would have took a split decision)."""

Are you serious?

Once upon a time -- a time that today seems so long ago -- Kelly Pavlik was the next face of American boxing. He was young and powerful with a blue-collar background that made him easy to identify with.Those days are gone, however, faded by losses, personal problems and bad business decisions.

Since October 2008, Pavlik has lost to Bernard Hopkins and Sergio Martinez while his only wins have come against journeymen Marco Antonio Rubio, Gary Lockett, Miguel Espino and Alfonso Lopez. He has mixed in two stints in rehab for an alcohol problem and recently had the police called to his home after a scuffle with his brother. Pavlik's popularity in Youngstown has waned -- ticket sales for the Cunningham fight had been slow -- and his lack of success the last few years has pushed him off the national radar.

Part of Pavlik's problem is that he refuses to accept his decline in popularity. In interviews, Pavlik frequently calls himself the moneyman in the division, saying that the top 168-pounders will have to come to him for a big payday. That is simply not true.

Kelly has always started his own problems. From rehab back to when he punched a security guard at a bar. He has dropped to the bottom of the ranking fighters and now he has to work his way back up no matter how much the pay window gives him. I think he has run his course and now can be counted as a has been from Youngstown. Good luck Kelly and start looking for a decent job for yourself. Wake up and smell the flowers. The game is over with SORRY

Kelly Pavlick was done when he lost to Bernard Hopkins. The juice put the fire out!!! They gave him all the cream puffs to fight and he still had a hard time winning. The reason Pavlick got out of this fight was because he knew he couldn't beat this no-body and would be DONE anyway!!!!

this isnt a surprise at all. once southside trash, always southside trash. i was there the night he hit the youngstown cops, which most of the people in this town "forgot" about when he won the belt. i have never had an ounce of respect for this kid and now its nice to see the rest of the town coming to their senses.

I guess Jack is taking these comments to heart, after posting on his Southside Boxing website's "comment" page I receive this "gem" of a response from Jack. What a class act ******I were you all I would use his personal email address trainer0327@aol.com just to show him what this valley really thinks about him. I guess I know "nothing" about boxing and now he is calling me to his gym?? LOL YES!! He sure is the trainer/people knew all along he was. I think it's time to go back to sealing driveways and drinking six packs every night. What a priceless and "classy" email from Jack.

From <trainer0327@aol.comSubject: Re: LoewDate: Thu 8/04/11 6:18 AMwho ever you are quit hiding behind a computer you piece of **** and feel free to come down to the gym and i would love to smack the ***** of you, quit writing stupid *****you know nothing about you probably never even played a sport in your life you little ********momma's boy, just remember you bit** if you decide to grow some balls come on down to the gym if your mom will let you leave the house,